Ancestry, Ownership & Repatriation
You’re a legal advisor for a tribal nation. How would you argue for the repatriation of the Kennewick Man using both scientific and cultural evidence?
Cite the 2015 DNA analysis linking the remains to the Colville tribe and emphasize cultural continuity and NAGPRA protections.
You’re producing a podcast episode on migration into the Americas. How would you challenge the Clovis-First model while honoring Indigenous perspectives?
Include archaeological evidence from Monte Verde and Paisley Caves, and feature Native scholars discussing storytelling as historical methodology.
You’re curating a museum exhibit on 19th-century craniometry. How would you present Samuel George Morton’s work without reinforcing racist ideologies?
Frame his skull measurements as pseudoscience, explain their role in justifying slavery, and include Indigenous critiques and repatriation efforts.
You’re producing a short film on Jesse Owens. How would you visually contrast his Olympic success with his experience in segregated America?
Use archival footage of his victories in Berlin alongside scenes of racial discrimination in the U.S. to highlight hypocrisy.
You’re analyzing Bill Burr’s comedy clip in a media studies class. How would you frame his satire as a critique of racial stereotypes in sports?
Show how he mocks genetic determinism and exposes environmental and systemic factors behind Black athletic success.
You’re designing a public exhibit about the Ancient One. What ethical considerations should guide how the story is told?
Center tribal perspectives, avoid sensationalizing the controversy, and respect the secrecy of the reburial location.
You’re creating an interactive timeline of migration theories. What key shifts would you highlight to show evolving understandings?
Show the transition from Clovis-First to Coastal Migration and Beringian standstill hypotheses, integrating genetic lineage splits and pre-Clovis sites.
You’re leading a workshop on ethical research practices. How would you use the history of skull collecting to discuss consent and human dignity?
Highlight how Native remains were taken without consent, treated as specimens, and how modern repatriation challenges these legacies.
You’re writing a blog post on athlete activism. How would you connect Owens’ legacy to current calls for structural change in sports?
Compare his symbolic resistance to modern athlete-led movements for leadership diversity and institutional accountability.
You’re designing a classroom activity on racism in sports. What elements would you include to help students explore institutional barriers?
Use role-play scenarios, media analysis, and athlete case studies to highlight representation gaps and mental health impacts.